Sharp Names 4K UHD Video Competition Winners

Mahwah, N.J. – Sharp Electronics and joint-sponsors Red Digital Cinema and THX said last week that the winner of the 2014 Art of Amazing 4K UHD video competition was “The Lion.”

The winning film was about Kirk Nishikawa Dixon, one of Japan’s only traditional dancers of Japanese-American descent who lives between two cultures and the effect it has had on his life, his place in society and his identity.

The short video helped filmmaker/director Anthony Gilmore win a grand prize totaling more than $38,000, including a Sharp 70-inch THX 4K certified Aquos 4K Ultra HD LED TV, a 6K Scarlet-X Red Dragon Lightweight Collection and a trip for two to CES 2015 in Las Vegas to see a screening of the winning film in the Sharp CES booth.

Sharp said the short 4K film effectively captured “the unparalleled detail and beauty of [Dixon’s] transformation.”

The film was chosen by a panel of expert judges from Sharp, THX, Red, LucasFilm, Pixar and the California Film Institute. The prize was awarded at the Art of Amazing 4K Showcase, the first-ever showcase celebrating high resolution at the prestigious Mill Valley Film Festival on Oct. 9.

“The Lion” was one of 15 finalist films selected from the 4K entries and was screened at the Art of Amazing 4K Showcase. The grand prize winner was chosen for demonstrating creativity, technical skill and the ability to capture an amazing high-resolution entertainment experience.

The 2014 Sharp Art of Amazing 4K Film Competition coincides with the launch of the Sharp Aquos 4K Ultra HD UD27, the largest THX 4K certified TV available.

“The Lion” tells a captivating story and combines stunning details, incredible imagery and a compelling narrative,” stated Mark Viken, Sharp Electronics Marketing Corporation of America brand marketing VP. “When you see content that has been so expertly composed using 4K resolution, it is obvious the viewing benefit a consumer gets when they watch that content on a THX 4K certified TV.”

In addition to the grand prize, two other films received awards at the showcase. “Marty Knapp – Portrait of a Photographer” by Logan Kelsey was declared “Fan Favorite” as voted by visitors to SharpUSA.com/ArtofAmazing and will be taking home a prize valued at more than $19,000, including a Sharp 32-inch 4K Ultra HD LED Professional Display, a Freefly MoVi M10 and a 12-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Audience members at the sold-out Art of Amazing 4K Showcase also had an opportunity to choose “JamQwest” by Jarred North as the Festival Audience Favorite. North will receive a 60-inch THX Certified Sharp Aquos 4K Ultra HD LED.